Cannabinoids psychotropic drugs

Pertwee RG (1990). The central neuropharmacology of psychotropic cannabinoids. In DJK Balfour (ed.), Psychotropic Drugs of Abuse (pp. 355 429). Pergamon Press, Elmsford, New York. 

In the search for new anti-inflammatory drugs structurally derived from indomethacine [147], Pravadoline showed psychotropic side effects in clinical trials. It became apparent that these effects are mediated through the cannabinoid receptor. Optimization of the structure Anally led to WIN-55,212-2 (8.6), which has a higher affinity to the CBl receptor than THC [148]... 

The occurrence of psychotropic substances in the air of cities is nowadays ascertained. Indeed, not only nicotine, caffeine, and the corresponding by-products, whose existence could be foreseen due to the wide use by population, but also cocaine, cannabinoids, heroin, and the so-called smart drugs have been found to affect our environment. 

These impressive advances in biology have not been paralleled by developments in the therapeutic area. The psychotropic effects of d9-THC, and the stigma attached to cannabis as an abused drug, has resulted in a pronounced lack of enthusiasm within the pharmaceutical companies. However, the recent development of cannabinoids that do not cause a psychotropic effect, and yet have therapeutically important features (HU-211, for example), the discovery of antagonists and of cannabinoids that bind preferentially to the peripheral CB2, may bring about enhanced pharmaceutical research. 

Pertwee RG. Tolerance to and dependence on psychotropic cannabinoids. In Pratt J, editor. The Biological Basis of Drug Tolerance. London Academic Press, 1991 232-65. Aceto MD, Scates SM, Lowe JA, Martin BR. Dependence on delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol studies on precipitated and abrupt withdrawal. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1996 278(3) 1290-5. 

Pertwee RG. Tolerance to and dependence on psychotropic cannabinoids. In Pratt J, editor. The Biological Basis of Drug Tolerance. London Academic Press, 1991 232-65. 

Delta-9-THC is the main active constituent extracted from Cannabis sativa (Tuner, 1985 in Marijuana 1984, Ed. Harvey, DY, IRL Press, Oxford). Numerous articles have described not only psychotropic effects of cannabinoids but also their influence on the immune function [Hollister L. E., J. Psychoact. Drugs 24 (1992) 159-164]. The majority of in vitro studies have shown that cannabinoids have immunosuppressant effects inhibition of the mitogen induced proliferative responses of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes [Luo, Y. D. et ah, Int. J. Immuno-pharmacol. (1992) 14,49-56 Schwartz, H. et at., J. Neuroimmunol. (1994) 55,107-115], inhibition of the activity of cytotoxic T cells [Klein et at., J. Toxicol. Environ. Health (1991) 32, 465-477], inhibition of the microbicidal activity of macrophages and of TNF-a synthesis [Arata, S. et at.. Life Sci. (1991) 49, 473-479 Fisher-Stenger et al., J. Pharm. Exp. Then (1993) 267, 1558-1565] and inhibition of the cytolytic activity and the TNFa production of large granular lymphoc3rtes [Kusher et al.. Cell. Immun. (1994) 154, 99-108],... 

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic component of cannabis with possible therapeutic use as an anti-inflammatory drug. Recent studies on both enantiomers of CBD showed enantioselectivity in their interaction with cannabinoid and vanniloid (VRl) receptors as well as on the cellular uptake and enzymatic hydrolysis of anandamide (Bisogno et al. 2001). 

Pertwee RG (1992) In vivo interactions between psychotropic cannabinoids and other drugs involving central and peripheral neurochemical mediators. In Murphy L, Bartke A (eds) Marijuana/cannabinoids. Neurobiology and neurophysiology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, p 165... 

The A -THC-rich chemotype of C. saliva constitutes nowadays the most widely utilized ilhcit recreational drug in the world, and the cultivation and use of psychotropic Cannabis, even for medicinal purposes, is illegal in many countries due to the potentially harmful acute and short-lasting effects of this drug. Many interesting comments on the impact of C. saliva and cannabinoids on society, on criminology, and even on art (e.g., the Qub des Hashischins of the French artistic community [5]) could be done, but they are beyond the scope of this chapter. 

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